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Nando's

Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe

Master this Nando's fakeaway recipe with perfectly marinated chicken and homemade peri-peri sauce that rivals the restaurant original. Learn how to cook the juiciest flame-grilled chicken with that authentic Portuguese-African spice kick in this quick and easy recipe that saves you money without sacrificing flavor.

Prep

30 mins

Cook

45 mins

Serve

Kcal

420

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 kg chicken thighs, boneless and skinless</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 tbsp peri-peri sauce (mild, medium or hot depending on preference)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 garlic cloves, minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp paprika</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp oregano</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp ground cumin</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust according to heat preference)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp brown sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g potatoes, cut into wedges</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g mixed salad leaves</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 red onion, thinly sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tomatoes, sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 cucumber, sliced</li></ul>

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, peri-peri sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar to create your marinade. This is your peri-peri marinade that will give the chicken that signature Nando's flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Pat the chicken thighs dry with kitchen paper, then add to the bowl with the marinade. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the chicken is well coated. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight for maximum flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 200°C. Place your potato wedges on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy, turning halfway through.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> While the wedges are cooking, heat a griddle pan over medium-high heat (or preheat your grill/BBQ). Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the chicken on the hot griddle and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, until charred and cooked through. If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 75°C.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> While the chicken is cooking, prepare your salad by combining the mixed salad leaves, red onion slices, tomato and cucumber in a bowl. You can dress this simply with a little olive oil and lemon juice if desired.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for 3-4 minutes. During this time, if you'd like to make it extra spicy like Nando's, you can brush on a little more peri-peri sauce while the chicken is hot.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Serve your Nando's fakeaway with the chicken, crispy potato wedges and fresh salad. For an authentic experience, provide extra peri-peri sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your homemade version of this Portuguese-inspired favorite!</li></ol>

FAQ for

Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe

What ingredients are used in Peri-Peri Chicken from Nando's?

Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken uses chicken thighs, peri-peri sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar for the signature marinade that creates its distinctive spicy Portuguese-inspired flavour.

How to cook Peri-Peri Chicken from Nando's at home?

Learn how to cook Peri-Peri Chicken from Nando's by marinating boneless chicken thighs in a spicy peri-peri sauce mixture overnight, then grilling them until charred and juicy. Serve with potato wedges and a fresh salad for an authentic fakeaway experience that rivals the restaurant version.

What's the ideal marinating time for perfect peri-peri chicken?

While you can achieve good results with a minimum 2-hour marinade, overnight marination (8-24 hours) delivers the best flavour. This extended time allows the acids in the lemon juice and spices to penetrate the meat thoroughly, resulting in more tender, flavourful chicken.

Can I adjust the spice level of homemade peri-peri chicken?

Absolutely! Adjust the heat by choosing mild, medium or hot peri-peri sauce as your base, and modify the cayenne pepper amount. For extra-hot chicken, add more cayenne or brush additional peri-peri sauce on the chicken during the final cooking stage.

What sides complement Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken best?

Traditional sides include spicy rice, macho peas, grilled corn, coleslaw, and garlic bread. The crispy potato wedges and fresh salad in this recipe work perfectly, but you could also serve with creamy mashed potatoes or Portuguese-style rice for an authentic experience.

The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe is inspired by the flavours of this restaurant's dishes and has been independently developed for home cooking. It is not an exact match to the proprietary recipe used by the restaurant. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurant.

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  "@type": "Recipe",
  "name": "Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Peter Martin",
    "brand": "Once a Chef",
    "jobTitle": "Chef",
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  "recipeYield": "4",
  "recipeCategory": "Main Course",
  "recipeCuisine": "Portuguese",
  "nutrition": {
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    "carbohydrateContent": "35 g",
    "proteinContent": "42 g",
    "fatContent": "25 g",
    "saturatedFatContent": "5 g",
    "cholesterolContent": "165 mg",
    "sodiumContent": "890 mg",
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  "recipeIngredient": [
    "1 kg chicken thighs, boneless and skinless",
    "3 tbsp olive oil",
    "4 tbsp peri-peri sauce (mild, medium or hot depending on preference)",
    "3 tbsp lemon juice",
    "4 garlic cloves, minced",
    "1 tbsp paprika",
    "1 tsp oregano",
    "1 tsp ground cumin",
    "1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust according to heat preference)",
    "1 tsp salt",
    "1/2 tsp black pepper",
    "1 tbsp brown sugar",
    "500g potatoes, cut into wedges",
    "200g mixed salad leaves",
    "1 red onion, thinly sliced",
    "2 tomatoes, sliced",
    "1 cucumber, sliced"
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      "@type": "HowToStep",
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    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Marinate Chicken",
      "text": "Pat the chicken thighs dry with kitchen paper, then add to the bowl with the marinade. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the chicken is well coated. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight for maximum flavor."
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Prepare Potato Wedges",
      "text": "When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 200°C. Place your potato wedges on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy, turning halfway through."
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
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      "text": "While the wedges are cooking, heat a griddle pan over medium-high heat (or preheat your grill/BBQ). Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the chicken on the hot griddle and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, until charred and cooked through. If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 75°C."
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
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    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
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      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Serve",
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    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": "Olivia Martinez",
      "datePublished": "2024-06-25",
      "reviewBody": "This peri-peri chicken recipe is spot on! I've been missing Nando's since moving abroad and this completely satisfied my craving. The marinade has the perfect balance of spices and heat.",
      "name": "Just Like the Real Thing",
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
        "ratingValue": "5"
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    },
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": "Ahmed Khalil",
      "datePublished": "2024-06-18",
      "reviewBody": "I marinated the chicken overnight and the flavor was incredible! My family loved it and it's now on our regular dinner rotation. The potato wedges are a perfect side too.",
      "name": "Family Favorite Now",
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
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    },
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": "Mei Lin",
      "datePublished": "2024-06-10",
      "reviewBody": "Perfect spice level and so juicy! I added extra cayenne because we love heat in our house. The instructions were clear and the result was restaurant quality chicken at a fraction of the cost.",
      "name": "Better Than Takeaway",
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
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    },
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": "Stefan Novak",
      "datePublished": "2024-06-05",
      "reviewBody": "I've tried many peri-peri recipes before but this is by far the closest to Nando's I've ever made. The brown sugar in the marinade adds that subtle sweetness that balances the heat perfectly.",
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      "@type": "Review",
      "author": "Isabella Romano",
      "datePublished": "2024-05-28",
      "reviewBody": "Made this for a dinner party and everyone was asking for the recipe! The chicken was perfectly tender and the marinade created a beautiful charred crust. Will definitely make this again!",
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Nando's

Peri-Peri Chicken Recipe

Prep

Cook

Serve

Kcal

Ingredients

Directions

What ingredients are used in Peri-Peri Chicken from Nando's?

How to cook Peri-Peri Chicken from Nando's at home?

What's the ideal marinating time for perfect peri-peri chicken?

Can I adjust the spice level of homemade peri-peri chicken?

What sides complement Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken best?

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